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No regrets from Sock Khim for defying doctor’s orders

National table tennis player Ng Sock Khim aggravated his knee injury at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July and has been omitted from the Asian Games squad to Incheon this month. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran paddler Ng Sock Khim was in top form in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games – helping Malaysia win an unexpected silver medal in the women’s team event.

However, she also paid the price for going against the doctor’s orders to compete in the Games.

The Kedahan, who underwent surgery on her right knee last December, aggravated the injury in Glasgow and will not feature in the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4.

Sock Khim, who has donned national colours since 1998, has undergone four knee surgeries in five years.

The 30-year-old Sock Khim said that her doctor has advised her to undergo rehabilitation and rest for three months.

“I have no regrets defying the doctor’s orders to help Malaysia win the silver medal, which happens to be the best-ever achievement for the national team in the Commonwealth Games.

“Although I aggravated the injury in Glasgow (by putting too much pressure on my knee) and will not feature in the Asian Games, I have no regrets,” said Sock Khim, whose knee was heavily strapped during competition in Glasgow.

Sock Khim and her three other team-mates have each pocketed RM30,000 for their silver medal-winning feat. Team manager Teo Lip Sin gave each of them RM5,000 in Glasgow while the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) rewarded them with RM25,000 each.

The other members of the women’s team in Glasgow were Beh Lee Wei, Ho Ying and Lee Rou You.

The paddlers can expect another RM10,000 each under the National Sports Council (NSC) incentive scheme.

Sock Khim, who is still single, said that she has no plans to settle down just yet as “I still have some unfinished business with the national team”.

“I will resume training early next year ... I want to feature in the Singapore SEA Games and the World Championships next year,” said the AmBank employee.

“I will continue playing for the country as long as I can ... not even the injury will stop me from representing Malaysia in tournaments.

“I want to thank AmBank Group chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim for being so caring and allowing me to take time off to train and play for the country.”